And the winners are ...
At least 10 new faces are expected to adorn Cabinet positions shortly after Jacob Zuma’s inauguration next month.
Former ANC Youth League firebrand Fikile Mbalula, SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande and former ANC Women’s League president Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will be among the new ministers.
Zuma will retain a number of serving ministers who have been loyal to him, such as Lindiwe Sisulu (housing) and Jeff Radebe (transport).
The Mail & Guardian understands that President Kgalema Motlanthe has indicated to confidants that he is unwilling to return to government after the elections, but that Zuma has been trying to persuade him to assume the deputy presidency.
Should Motlanthe not be available, Sisulu or Deputy President Baleka Mbete are contenders for the position.
Top ANC officials have been locked in discussions about the finance ministry. The ANC’s leftist partners—Cosatu and the SACP—have made it clear they do not want Trevor Manuel to continue as finance minister in Zuma’s government. ANC sources say that if Manuel is not retained in this capacity, he could well take charge of the Planning Commission, which will reside within the presidency.
Possible replacements for Manuel include Radebe, Sisulu, ANC executive member Enoch Godongwana and Deputy Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.
What Zuma’s new Cabinet will look like:
His top 10 ministers
Lindiwe Sisulu
Baleka Mbete
Angie Motshekga
Trevor Manuel
Jeff Radebe
Fikile Mbalula
Collins Chabane
Siphiwe Nyanda
Barbara Hogan
Blade Nzimande
And the other 20
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Nathi Mthethwa
Enver Surty
Siphiwe Nyanda
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
Jeremy Cronin
Pallo Jordan
Naledi Pandor
Sicelo Shiceka
Marthinus van Schalkwyk
Enoch Godongwana
Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge
Makhenkesi Stofile
Dina Pule
Malusi Gigaba
Joe Phaahla
Ayanda Dlodlo
Derek Hanekom
